Nearly every pastor will say that the epistles of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus are commonly called “the pastoral epistles”; and will acknowledge that they communicate instruction from a genuine Apostle of Christ to Christian leaders.  

Yet very few acknowledge, and fewer yet act in accordance with, the mindset communicated in these epistles that real Christians falling away from the narrow way to life in Christ to spiritual death is a reality which must be taken into account and guarded against.

1 Timothy 1:19: “Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck…”

Having a good conscience towards God is an essential element of exercising a living faith in Jesus Christ and not making spiritual shipwreck concerning one’s faith.  Paul gave this warning to a man he knew to be an evidently faithful born-again Christian (see also Acts 24:14-16).

1 Timothy 4:16: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”

We see here that those who have believed in Jesus Christ in truth yet need to ultimately be saved.  They have not finished their Christian course yet nor are they guaranteed to.  This passage is also obviously a great rebuke to those who downplay the significance of having sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 5:8: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.”

Christian church members who had previously been born-again in Christ are not excluded.  This warning in its context is actually directed towards these.  We can deny Christ by our deeds- including by not fulfilling mandated responsibilities.  Those who live worse in God’s eyes than unbelievers typically do are not going to be partakers of Christ’s redemption on Judgment Day.  They will surely not escape the condemnation of hell that unbelievers will receive. 

1 Timothy 6:9-10: “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”

Some have erred or been led astray from the authentic Christian faith through the love of money.  The devil, walking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, wants the Christians to think that they have already won the fight and already have the fullness of eternal life guaranteed to them.  The Apostles of Christ taught otherwise though.

1 Timothy 6:11-12: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”

Timothy had started well, but he is still instructed to yet fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life.

Aaron’s email is: [email protected]

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